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Miscellaneous Writings and Speeches — Volume 4 by Baron Thomas Babington Macaulay Macaulay
page 295 of 659 (44%)
Finsbury would have us hear an argument at the bar. Is it then
reasonable to say, as some gentlemen have said, that, in voting
for the honourable Member's motion, they mean to vote merely for
an inquiry into the causes of the public distress? If any
gentleman thinks that an inquiry into the causes of the public
distress would be useful, let him move for such an inquiry. I
will not oppose it. But this petition does not tell us to
inquire. It tells us that we are not to inquire. It directs us
to pass a certain law word for word, and to pass it without the
smallest delay.

I shall, Sir, notwithstanding the request or command of the
petitioners, venture to exercise my right of free speech on the
subject of the People's Charter. There is, among the six points
of the Charter, one for which I have voted. There is another of
which I decidedly approve. There are others as to which, though
I do not agree with the petitioners, I could go some way to meet
them. In fact, there is only one of the six points on which I am
diametrically opposed to them: but unfortunately that point
happens to be infinitely the most important of the six.

One of the six points is the ballot. I have voted for the
ballot; and I have seen no reason to change my opinion on that
subject.

Another point is the abolition of the pecuniary qualification for
members of this House. On that point I cordially agree with the
petitioners. You have established a sufficient pecuniary
qualification for the elector; and it therefore seems to me quite
superfluous to require a pecuniary qualification from the
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